First Steps to Take After a Savannah Truck Accident

Every day, people in Savannah and across the country get caught up in trucking accidents. A truck accident here in Savannah can bring major financial, physical, and emotional challenges, but knowing what to do next can make a real difference.

Here, our talented truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Joseph J. Steffen Jr. lay out the first steps to take after a Savannah truck accident. These are just the beginning, and if you’d like guidance on the next move or help filing a claim, our attorneys are only a phone call away.

What are the First Steps to Take After a Truck Accident?

Below, you’ll find the necessary steps to take after a Savannah truck accident. Since there are more where these came from, you might want to talk with a truck accident attorney from our firm if you were in an accident.

Contact the Police

Your first step should be calling the police. The state requires crashes involving injuries, fatalities, or more than $500 in property damage to be reported under Georgia Code § 40-9-2.

Dial 911 and let the dispatcher know you were in a truck accident. Officers will create an official accident report, which becomes an important piece of evidence because it documents what happened at the scene. You can request this report later, or your truck accident lawyer can do it for you.

Seek Medical Attention

Your health always comes first after a truck accident. When making the 911 call, tell the dispatcher if anyone appears injured so medical help arrives quickly.

If you can safely remain at the scene, you should still seek follow-up medical care as soon as possible. Doing so strengthens a future claim because it helps:

• Prevent claims that you weren’t seriously hurt because you waited for treatment
• Identify injuries that don’t appear right away, like whiplash or internal injuries
• Document your injuries in a way that supports your case and future treatment needs

Even if you feel fine, getting checked out is the safest choice for your health and your case.

Gather Evidence and Exchange Information

If you can stay at the scene, gather whatever evidence you can. Take photos or videos of the vehicles, injuries, road conditions, debris, skid marks, and anything else that shows what happened.

Next, exchange information with the truck driver and any other drivers involved. Get:

• Names and contact details
• Driver’s license numbers
• License plates
• Insurance information

Because it’s a commercial truck, also collect the trucking company’s name and the truck’s DOT or company ID numbers. This matters because claims often involve both the driver and the company.

Contact Your Lawyer

Truck accidents are stressful and often involve multiple insurance companies, complicated regulations, and a lot of money at stake. Speaking with a truck accident attorney early on is a smart move. A lawyer can help ensure you don’t say or do anything the insurance company might later use against you, even something as simple as saying “sorry.”

Beyond that, an attorney can review your accident details, gather evidence, protect you from aggressive insurance tactics, and make sure your filings are completed on time. According to Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Contacting our firm helps make sure nothing is overlooked.

Talk to a Savannah Truck Accident Attorney Today About the Steps to Take

Now you know the first steps to take after a Savannah truck accident, but navigating the aftermath involves far more than these initial tasks. That is why hiring a truck accident lawyer could make a difference in your recovery. The Law Offices of Joseph J. Steffen Jr. can guide you through this often traumatic experience and explain your options clearly.

If you contact us, we can evaluate your case, discuss the First Steps to Take After a Savannah Truck Accident in more detail, and help determine the best way forward so you could pursue the compensation you deserve.